PLANS to knock down a cob barn in Coleford and use the space as a garden have been given the thumbs-up by Mid Devon District Council.

William and Julia Pratt of Springers Brook also have permission to build a new boundary wall around the garden after the demolition.

“It is considered that whilst harm to the character and appearance of Coleford Conservation Area has been identified, the public benefits to safely remove a building that poses safety concerns to road users and pedestrians, and to improve the visibility onto the public highway, outweighs the identified harm,” said a council spokesperson.

“Moreover, the development includes the erection of a boundary wall which is considered to lessen the impact of removing the existing barn.

“Conditions have been imposed requesting further details in regard to the materials of the boundary wall and demolition of the barn.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

You can see the application on the council’s website under reference 26/00100/FULL.